Pope Boniface VIII’s issuance of the papal bull Unam sanctam marked a significant moment in the history of the Catholic Church, asserting the primacy of papal authority and the necessity of the church for salvation. The bull stated that there is one holy Catholic and apostolic Church, and that outside of it, no one can be saved. This proclamation was aimed directly at the rising secular powers in Europe, especially King Philip IV of France, creating substantial tension between church and state. Boniface was involved in a power struggle with Philip, who had sought to consolidate his influence over the church and its resources in France.

The papal bull is often viewed as a response to the growing challenges faced by the papacy from emerging nation-states and their rulers. Boniface's assertion that the papal authority is above all secular rulers was not only a theological statement but also a political maneuver to reaffirm the church's dominance in the face of rising nationalistic tendencies. The bull's claim of papal supremacy reflected the ongoing struggle for power during a time when many monarchs were asserting greater autonomy from the Papacy.

Unam sanctam ultimately set the stage for ongoing disputes between the church and European monarchies in the years that followed. While it was a bold proclamation, it also contributed to Boniface VIII's downfall, as it alienated powerful rulers, particularly Philip IV, leading to conflicts that culminated in the papal schism and the relocation of the papacy to Avignon. The bull has since been regarded as one of the most definitive statements of papal authority and remains a significant document in the church's history.